Old scales vs digital scales.....which is most accurate?

Emi_the_dork
Emi_the_dork Posts: 62
edited September 21 in Health and Weight Loss
SO! Weighed myself at the boyfriends this morning with step on scale like this : http://www.fooducate.com/blog/wp-content/media/scale.jpg

it said i was 210! i was ecstatic and full of disbelief...and have been arguing to my boyfriend if the scale was right or not....

I have a digital scale which is a TAYLOR body fat analyzer and scale model #5563 and you can put in your height weight and age and it shows your water and fat %....well its BULL on that part but i re input my age and reset it.....got on it it said 213.4.....waited 2 minutes...it then said 218.7 so i went online for a manual and all i pulled up was the technological problems and the manual didnt do anything for me!

I even tried putting my 5 pound lightweights to test it and it couldnt even read it... i tried both of my 5 pound weights and still nothing...im just frustrated because i know my Wii Fit weight scale is off....

this is causing me so much more stress!!!! im about to throw this scale out the window!!!!!

Replies

  • Emi_the_dork
    Emi_the_dork Posts: 62
    just tested it again with just me standing still on it and then again with my 10 pound weights....its TOTALLY OFF! so MAD!!!
  • livingnlove
    livingnlove Posts: 49
    Scales will weigh you differently at different locations and each scale will weigh you differently. I'm not sure why your scale weighed 5 pounds different within 5 minutes, but I know that mine will weigh 2-4 pounds different just based on where exactly I put it on the bathroom floor! Don't worry so much about each individual pound, focus more on how you feel, how your clothes fit, etc.
  • xarrium
    xarrium Posts: 432 Member
    I'm really glad you posed this! I use a Taylor scale (probably the same model... it has the fat% and water% feature as well, which is BS, like you said), and I spent two weeks being intensely frustrated because I would step on it and it would have the same number as last weigh in, then I'd try again and it'd be lower, then I'd try again (just to make sure the second time wasn't a fluke) and it would be higher... grr! I guess I'm headed off to buy myself something that's less prone to fluctuations...
  • shell1205
    shell1205 Posts: 138
    I just got a Tayor digital scale... Mine was doing the same thing at first. It said in the instructions that everytime it is moved you should "reset" it by stepping on and stepping off, let it go to 0.0 and turn off. Then get on it. It seemed to work OK, then. My daughter and I weighed ourselves a couple times and got the same result. And it's within 2-3 pounds of my Wii fit, which is pretty new.

    It also said that it weighs fairly accurately from 25 pounds up, which could be why weighing your dumbells wasn't working...
  • Emi_the_dork
    Emi_the_dork Posts: 62
    well i just like to keep track how much i lose cause i got a reward system going...and ima be pissed if i did all this work and havent lost any pounds....plus i love postin my weigh ins on here....at this point i just want accuracy!
  • mamaDaisyJ
    mamaDaisyJ Posts: 395
    I have a digital scale, and was having some issues with it for a while too. I moved it to a place and dont move it from there. I have it centered on a single level tile to ensure accurate measurements. With mine, if it got bumped just a little, into the grout or a corner on a different tile, I would get drastically different results. Don't know if that helps you, but it helped in my case.
  • unknownndoll
    unknownndoll Posts: 161 Member
    I am afraid to try to put a weight on mine in fear of it being off !!!! Mine seems to always have an error the first time i step on it, then i re - weigh 2-3 times till i get a few matches.... stupid scales!!!
  • Nina74
    Nina74 Posts: 470 Member
    I HAD a Taylor scale, but kicked it to the curb for the reasons above. I heard the Tanita is the best kind of scale, although a bit pricey for a scale. There is one at my gym and it is very sensitive to movement.

    Also, try to change your batteries in the scale, or maybe it's time for a new scale!
  • CudyBug
    CudyBug Posts: 742 Member
    I had a digitial scale for a while and it started to act like that. It actually said I was only 120 lbs at one point lol. Im totally all for old fashion regular ones at this point. I think they are more accurate because even if its off centered you would know.
  • unknownndoll
    unknownndoll Posts: 161 Member
    hmmm i am considering the dial type ones now....
  • deckerp
    deckerp Posts: 4,448 Member
    I'm really happy with my Health-O-Meter digital body fat scale. I'm not sure of the model or if they even make it anymore. I got it at Target for $40 or so. They have several models from the same manufacturer.

    Mine gives me exactly the same weight if I step on and off three or four times. It goes up and down from day to day but my weight changes depending on how hydrated I am (plus a little real weight loss).

    The body fat part is pretty consistent as long as I use the same routine each time I use it. Shower, dry, weigh. I have mine on a cement floor in the basement so it probably helps. I do have a Taylor in the upstairs bathroom and it's pretty consistent on the weight too. In fact, it's usually about two pounds lower than the one I have downstairs. But I wanted to stick with the one I started at MFP with.

    I've read other complaints about Taylor scales though. I'm sure someone has a problem with each brand.

    It seems like if you weigh yourself and then weigh yourself with your weights in your hands it should go up by 10 pounds. If not I'd try batteries and retest. If there's still a problem then replace it.

    I prefer digital to dial type scales but that's a personal preference.
  • 00trayn
    00trayn Posts: 1,849 Member
    I have a Taylor scale as well. It just reads weight, not body fat or anything, but it does vary by where I put it on the bathroom floor and sometimes it gives different readings. My usual routine is to place it in the same 3 spots on the bathroom tile and most of the time all 3 numbers match. If it doesn't, I keep moving it around. It just might be the slightly uneven tile. But it's good to see that it's not just me having issues. There was one day where it was reading numbers all over the place and I just gave up... haha
  • Fausttt
    Fausttt Posts: 101
    i currently use a Weight Watchers scale that measures body fat, etc. It has an all glass top. it is sometimes hard to get to turn on (you have to tap your foot on it pretty sharply to start it) but once it turns on and zeros out, it has been the most consistent scale i've ever had. I can weigh myself 5 times in a row and it will not change at all. I've been very happy with this scale. I think i got it at walmart for $30. here is the amazon link tho (for info, picture, etc)

    http://www.amazon.com/Weight-Watchers®-WW78-Conair-Chrome/dp/B002N5N336/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1277732047&sr=8-6
  • arewethereyet
    arewethereyet Posts: 18,702 Member
    I'm really happy with my Health-O-Meter digital body fat scale. I'm not sure of the model or if they even make it anymore. I got it at Target for $40 or so. They have several models from the same manufacturer.

    Mine gives me exactly the same weight if I step on and off three or four times. It goes up and down from day to day but my weight changes depending on how hydrated I am (plus a little real weight loss).

    The body fat part is pretty consistent as long as I use the same routine each time I use it. Shower, dry, weigh. I have mine on a cement floor in the basement so it probably helps. I do have a Taylor in the upstairs bathroom and it's pretty consistent on the weight too. In fact, it's usually about two pounds lower than the one I have downstairs. But I wanted to stick with the one I started at MFP with.

    I've read other complaints about Taylor scales though. I'm sure someone has a problem with each brand.

    It seems like if you weigh yourself and then weigh yourself with your weights in your hands it should go up by 10 pounds. If not I'd try batteries and retest. If there's still a problem then replace it.

    I prefer digital to dial type scales but that's a personal preference.

    I have the Health O Meter and have tested it numerous times against the calibrated scales at my doctor's office and it is spot on. Simple $30 bux or less.......

    ALWAYS weigh on the same scale at the same time of day!! YOu can drive your self nutz if you go from scale to scale. I weigh after bathroom, before breakfast once a week (ok, not truthful...........since my surgery I have weighed everyday but only because I am home for now the 12th day and I do not want to go backwards:blushing: )

    Keep up the great work!!
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